Gadget vs Software

Friday, January 13, 2012

When I decided to go into business for myself about three years ago, I knew that I needed to hire some qualified people to help me run things. I knew some people that had experience working in retail fields and I knew they would be of great help, but one of the guys who really wanted to work for me had received his accounting degree online. I was a little reluctant at first, but soon realized that my concerns were completely unfounded.

He had decided to pursue his accounting degree online because he was already working and did not want to have to worry about going to school 12 to 15 hours per week. He was very disciplined and finished in four years, and actually presented his degree to me. Again, I was skeptical, because I knew that he had not actually been in a classroom with instructors. I knew that our books had to be accurate and that our taxes, payroll and all other records would have to be done, so I was nervous about letting him have a crack at it.

He kept pestering me and pestering me and I finally gave in, but I made him understand that if the fact that he received his accounting degree online became a liability or reflected poorly in his work in any way, I would have to let him go. I informed him that this was the most important part of the business and had to be done correctly, and that the only reason I was giving him a chance was because he and I were such good friends and, well, he wouldn't stop nagging me!